The APN Professional Development Plan paper is worth 200 points and will be graded on the quality of the content, use of citations, use of Standard English grammar, sentence structure, and overall organization based on the required components as summarized in the directions and grading criteria/rubric.
Submit the paper as a Microsoft Word Document, which is the required format at Chamberlain University. You are encouraged to use the APA Academic Writer and Grammarly tools when creating your assignment.
Follow the directions below and the grading criteria located in the rubric closely. Any questions about this paper may be posted under the Q & A Forum or emailed to your faculty.
The length of the paper should be 5-8 pages, excluding title page and reference page(s).&
Support ideas with a minimum of 3 scholarly resources. Scholarly resources do not include your textbook. You may need to use more than 3 scholarly resources to fully support your ideas.
You may use first person voice when discussing information specific to your personal practice or skills.
Current edition APA format is required with both a title page and reference page(s). Use the following as Level 1 headings to denote the sections of your paper (Level 1 headings use upper- and lower-case letters and are bold and centered):
APN Professional Development Plan (This is the paper introduction. In APA format, a restatement of the paper title, centered and bold serves as the heading of the introduction section)
APN Scope of Practice
Nurse Practitioner (NONPF) Core Competencies
Leadership Skills
Conclusion
Directions
Introduction: Provide an overview of what will be covered in the paper. Introduction should include general statements on scope of practice, competencies, and leadership, and identification of the purpose of the paper.
APN Scope of Practice: Research the Nurse Practice Act and APN scope of practice guidelines for the state in which you intend to practice after graduation. (Example: Students who intend to practice in California must research the California Nurse Practice Act and relevant Board of Registered Nursing regulations, such as obtaining a DEA number, and prescriptive requirements). Describe the educational, licensure, and regulatory requirements for that state in your own words. Identify whether your state allows full, limited, or restricted NP practice. Discuss NP prescriptive authority in your state. Provide support from at least one scholarly source. Source may be the regulatory body that governs nursing practice in your state. (Students who intend to practice in California, include the use of written standard procedures that guide nurse practitioner practice in the state and physician supervision ratios).
Nurse Practitioner (NONPF) Core Competencies: Review the NONPF Core Competencies. Describe two competency areas you believe to be personal strengths and two competency areas in which you have opportunities for growth. Discuss two scholarly activities you could do during the master’s program to help yourself achieve NP competencies. Provide support from at least one scholarly source. Source may be NONPF Core Competencies document provided via the link in the week 2 readings.
Leadership Skills: Analyze three leadership skills required to lead as an NP within complex systems. Describe two strategies you could use to help you develop NP leadership skills. Provide support from at least one scholarly source. Textbooks are not considered scholarly sources.
APN Professional Development
Full Answer Section
APN Scope of Practice The APN scope of practice varies from state to state, but generally includes the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and order and interpret diagnostic tests. APNs may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and schools. In the state of California, APNs have full practice authority, meaning they can practice without physician supervision. However, APNs must still complete a master's degree in nursing and obtain a license from the California Board of Registered Nursing. APNs in California also need to obtain a DEA number in order to prescribe controlled substances. Nurse Practitioner (NONPF) Core Competencies The NONPF Core Competencies are a set of competencies that all APNs should strive to achieve. These competencies are divided into four domains:- Patient-Centered Care: APNs should be able to provide patient-centered care that is compassionate, culturally competent, and evidence-based.
- Clinical Prevention and Population Health: APNs should be able to promote health and prevent disease in individuals and populations.
- Leadership and Quality: APNs should be able to lead and manage healthcare systems and teams to improve the quality of care.
- Professional Practice: APNs should be able to maintain professional standards and ethical practice.
- Conducting a research project on a clinical prevention or population health topic. This would allow me to learn more about how to promote health and prevent disease in individuals and populations.
- Volunteering or interning with a healthcare organization that is focused on leadership and quality improvement. This would allow me to develop my leadership and management skills and learn from other healthcare professionals who are working to improve the quality of care.
- Communication: NPs must be able to communicate effectively with patients, other healthcare professionals, and the public.
- Teamwork: NPs must be able to work effectively with other members of the healthcare team to provide patient care.
- Problem-solving: NPs must be able to identify and solve problems that arise in the healthcare setting.
- Taking on leadership roles in my current role as a registered nurse. This could include volunteering to lead projects or committees, or simply taking on more responsibility in my role.
- Mentoring other healthcare professionals. Mentoring can be a great way to develop my own leadership skills and help others develop theirs as well.
Sample Answer
APN Professional Development Plan
Introduction
This paper will discuss the scope of practice, core competencies, and leadership skills required for advanced practice nurses (APNs). I will also discuss my own personal strengths and opportunities for growth in these areas, as well as two scholarly activities I could do during the master's program to help myself achieve NP competencies. Finally, I will analyze three leadership skills required to lead as an NP within complex systems and describe two strategies I could use to help me develop NP leadership skills.